Laura Woodruff Drew

Funeral Recording - https://audio.funeralrecording.com/embed/ec6007d0-10b1-11ef-b833-12babd5eac8d

Laura Woodruff Drew passed away at home on May 2, 2024, at the age of 80. 

Laura was born July 19, 1943, in Murray, Utah as the second child to Henry Harrop Woodruff and Patricia Ellen Poynter Knudsen. She had two brothers, Henry and David, who both preceded her in death as well. After her father passed away when she was four, her mother had to work and Laura acted as the big sister to both brothers. Ever the tease, she frequently told people that David was her twin; he was 6’4” to her 5’6”, he had bright red hair to her dark hair, and she was a mere 4 years older. They were always devoted to each other. It was David that walked her down the aisle on her wedding day.

Laura is survived by her loving husband and daughter, Dean and Kate, her cousin Brent (Kathy) Hilton, and her dear nephews and nieces: Stewart (Larissa), Peter (Lisa), Jenn, and Kristia (Sean). 

Laura grew up in Holladay and attended Oakwood Elementary, Olympus Junior High, and graduated from Olympus High School in 1961. She also took many classes at the University of Utah.

In August 1975, Laura and Dean met in the basement of a hotel. On May 8, 1976, they were married at Laura’s childhood home surrounded by family and friends and lilac trees. They then took a six month honeymoon, mostly in New England. This allowed them to spend time with Dean’s family and gave Laura time to know and love them. The two enjoyed many travels during that time, including spending the Fourth of July Bi-Centennial with the Boston Pops conducted by Arthur Fiedler and 400,000 of their closest friends. The memory of the 1812 Overture was complete with cannons and actual church bells topped by some of the best fireworks ever on the Charles River. The whole event was something Laura was fond of talking about. The trip was made in her beloved1963 VW Desert Combi Classic camper called Bus-Bus. Laura made the bus special with Peanuts curtains she made from sheets.

Laura was a wonderful wife and mother, and after Katie was born, they had many adventures together. Once Katie entered school, Laura became a professional volunteer giving many hours to PTA, DCFS review committee, the state textbook commission, and the 2002 Olympics. But first and foremost was and in many other ways, but always first and foremost care for her family.

Laura’s years in PTA were some of her most personally rewarding and enriching years. Many of those she worked with became lifelong friends. She began PTA as a local volunteer helping at the elementary school level but progressed to become Granite School District Region Director for two consecutive two-year terms. At that time, Granite District had close to 100 schools and over 75,000 students. She taught that PTA is so much more than the stereo type of bake sales and classroom parties, although those were important to her as well. She spent many hours developing training programs for others to follow that would enrich their local PTA school programs. She also worked tirelessly and skillfully bringing people together problem solving a variety of issues each day.

It was during this time she also spent many hours advocating for education and children at the Utah legislature, lobbying for school safety issues and improvements for all education. Many of the issues she championed became laws enacted by the session end. She helped to restore the science project program locally, which helped to motivate other schools and districts in similar ways. The benefits and safety for children were always her primary focus of all her endeavors. She was the recipient of multiple awards for these efforts at the conclusion of her years in PTA. Her friends would often comment to each other “Oh the things we get each other into!!!” How true!

Laura also volunteered for the 2002 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies. She was the volunteer organizer for the native American drum circle players. Her role was to make sure they were all in the right place at the right time. In the process, she grew to love them and learn more about their values and culture.

Laura was a caring daughter to her mom; she spent many hours each day for years caring for her in her declining years. That gave them the opportunity to relive their past adventures in politics and life. Her mother, Pat, was a great mentor and example to Laura in many ways.

Laura had busy hands and found many ways to explore new talents. She excelled at creative arts, pursuing and mastering a variety of crafts including bead working, jewelry making, crocheting, cross-stitch, scrapbooking, making English toffee, among many others. Many will feel her love wrapped around them by the afghans she left, and there are many homes graced by her inimitable and creepy beaded spiders.

As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she taught Sunbeams for a time. She enjoyed her time with the little ones. To help keep them relatively quiet and calm she would bring gummy worm candy. She was endlessly amused by seeing the worms dangling from their mouth while she taught them the lesson. More recently she was called to ask members to offer prayers in sacrament meetings. This allowed her to visit with many people by phone when it was difficult for her to get out. She also enjoyed making custom reminder cards each week to mail or hand deliver for those offering prayers. Laura and Dean were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on March 4, 2005, as an eternal family with Katie.

We are thankful for the many different services provided by Aspen Ridge. We are especially grateful to Rob, Hannah and Jess at Aspen Ridge East; Laura, Ali and Lori with the Home Health Division plus all of their associates for the loving care provided. We are also grateful for our many friends and family members who reached out in kindness in her final days. If we had a dollar for all the offers of help we have had, we would be wealthy; however, it would not equal the beautiful love and kindness Katie and I have felt through this time as we send Laura home to our heavenly Father. She can now walk pain free with her mom and dad and so many other beloved family members.

As Laura did not believe in starting meetings on the hour, funeral services will begin at 11:07 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 at the Holladay 27^th Ward, 5450 South Holladay Blvd. Viewings will be held on Friday, May 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 11, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the same location. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Utah Food Bank or Granite Education Foundation.